Salo’s still champ in team’s hardest shot contest
Injury doesn’t stop veteran defenceman from notching 102.7 m. p. h. blast during Sunday superskills competition
Injured defenceman Sami Salo is close to returning to the Vancouver Canucks lineup but it wasn’t close Sunday in the hardest shot competition at the team’s annual superskills competition.
The 37- year- old Finn retained his title with a blast of 102.7 m. p. h. as he edged fellow blueliners Andrew Alberts ( 100.5 m. p. h.) and multiple former winner Alex Edler ( 100 m. p. h.). Salo also had the second- hardest shot at 102.5, much to the delight of the full house at Rogers Arena.
“Alex knows I’m close to the end of my career so I think he gave it to me,” quipped Salo, who has missed six games with a concussion since being submarined Jan. 7 by Boston Bruin Brad Marchand.
Salo chuckled when asked if his participation Sunday meant he was ready to play Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
“I took four shots,” he pointed out. “I don’t know if that is a good measuring stick but I’ve made small improvements every day. I hope to skate [ today] and see where we’re at.
“I’m just trying to get back as soon as I can. Once I’m ready, I’m ready. If it’s before the allstar break, it’s before. And if it’s after, it’s after.”
Meanwhile, Keith Ballard captured fastest skater honours when he completed a lap of the ice surface in 13.44 seconds, edging Jannik Hansen at 13.597. Mason Raymond was third with a time of 13.67 seconds.
“Everybody knows the defencemen are better skaters,” declared Ballard in his victory speech.
In the three- man puck control relay, the team of Sedin- SedinMalhotra defeated the trio of Hamhuis- Kesler- Booth while, in the manno- to- manno puck control event, Chris Higgins nipped Alex Burrows at the wire.
Burrows returned later to triumph in the most accurate shooter contest as he went 4- for- 4 in obliterating the pieshaped targets. BACK FROM THE WOLVES: Defenceman Chris Tanev made his return to the Canucks an interesting one Saturday as he was on the ice for two Canucks goals, one Shark goal and finished the game a plus- 1 with one hit and no shots in 15: 41 of ice time.
The 22- year- old, who was recalled from the AHL Chicago Wolves last Wednesday, was paired with Edler at even strength.
“I felt good after the first couple of shifts,” said Tanev, 22.
“I definitely feel like I’ve developed a lot down in Chicago and improved my game in certain areas.
“I’m definitely stronger than I was last year. It’s definitely a process.”
Tanev played three games early in the season before he was dispatched to the American League in mid- October. Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault was happy with Tanev’s performance.
“Chris coming in and playing most of the game against their top two lines, which is not an easy task, I thought, for the most part, he did a real solid job,” Vigneault assessed.
“He was good one- on- one and when he had the opportunity to move the puck, he did. That’s what we expected of him.” QUOTABLE: “Something happened in front of our bench, or close to our bench prior to that, that upset Keith and that’s the way it’s supposed to be done if you’re upset. If you’re not happy with what’s going on, take care of it. And he did.” — Canuck coach Vigneault on his new “tough guy” Battlin’ Ballard, who fought for the second straight game Saturday.